Bhubaneswar, July 2: A low-pressure area has formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coasts, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an extensive weather alert for Odisha. The weather office has forecast widespread rainfall across the state over the next seven days, with isolated spells of heavy to extremely heavy rain and district-specific Red, Orange and Yellow warnings.
According to the IMD’s Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, the low-pressure area developed under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha coast. The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level and is likely to intensify further during the next two to three days, enhancing monsoon activity over the region.
The IMD has issued an Orange Warning for July 2-3 for Bargarh, Nuapada, Bolangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri districts, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected. Several coastal and northern districts have been placed under a Yellow Warning for heavy rain.
For July 3-4 and July 4-5, Koraput and Malkangiri have been placed under a Red Warning, with the IMD forecasting isolated extremely heavy rainfall. Orange Warnings have also been issued for Rayagada, Kalahandi, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Khurda, Puri and Cuttack on different days.
Between July 5 and July 7, Keonjhar and Angul are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall under Orange Warnings, while Yellow Warnings remain in effect for several districts across coastal, western and southern Odisha. Heavy rainfall is also likely over Mayurbhanj, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Sundargarh and Jharsuguda towards the end of the forecast period.
Meanwhile, the IMD has warned that sea conditions will remain rough to very rough along and off the Odisha coast from July 2 to July 6. Fishermen have been strongly advised not to venture into the sea during this period. Local Cautionary Signal No. III has been ordered to be hoisted at Paradip and Dhamra ports as authorities remain on high alert.
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